Summer is here and along with this fantastic season are some safety tips to remember. Debbie Lyn Toomey, RN, Injury Prevention Coordinator from Tufts Medical Center’s Division of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery has five summer safety tips to ensure you have a fun and safe summer.
- Water for kids –Be sure that your child is supervised when near the beach or the pool. Know the signs of drowning such as little splashing or yelling for help. Always keep your eyes on your children.
- Dehydration – Dehydration is the leading cause of heat exhaustion, so make sure to drink water before, during and after you get out into the sun. Add some creative flavors to your water such as lemon, lime, orange, mint or cucumber. The signs of dehydration are dry mouth, dizziness, unsteadiness and confusion. Always drink before you begin to feel thirsty.
- Distracted driving/biking – Avoid talking or texting on your phone while driving or biking. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 3,166 people lost their lives in 2017 due to distracted driving. It’s incredibly dangerous for both you and others on the road.
- Outdoor grills – The Massachusetts Department of Public Health says that outdoor grills should be used outdoors on ground level to avoid fire or injury. Grills must be at least 10 feet away from the side of a building and should never be used on a fire escape, porch or deck.
- Head injury – Avoid head injury by wearing proper head gear when biking or skateboarding. According to a meta-analysis conducted by Alena Høye, wearing a helmet can reduce the risk of head injury by 48% and serious head injury by 60%. Be sure to bring a protected head gear when using public bike or electric scooters.
Tufts Medical Center’s Division of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery wish you a happy, healthy and safe summer.
To learn about other free prevention programs such as Stop the Bleed or fall prevention programs for the elderly, contact Debbie Lyn Toomey at dtoomey@tuftsmedicalcenter.org.
